INTERFAITH CELEBRATION: Together We can Attain Peace And Harmony

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By Acharya S.P.Dwivedi

Interfaith movement, not only in Canada but over the world, has been picking up the momentum. People have started  realizing the significance of interfaith dialogue is essential to create the bridges between communities and nations.King Abdullah II of Jordan was instrumental in getting the resolution “International Interfaith Harmony Week” passed at  UN General Assembly in the year 2010 and the First Week of  February was  earmarked to celebrate it and now since 2011 it  is being celebrated around the world with great enthusiasm.

The Global Clergy Association of Canada, based in Surrey, has been celebrating it since 2012. This year, a joint celebration was done in cooperation  with Multifaith Action Society and Northwood  United Church on February 10,2018 at 8855-156 St,Northwood United Church in Surrey. The theme of the celebration was “Together We Can Attain Peace and Harmony”; and Acharya coordinated the event.

The program began at 1.10PM with the welcoming address by the host clergy Rev.Scott Turnbrook. “ We have to educate people of faith about other traditions, belief  and value systems;and relation building requires visiting, respecting and appreciating each others”, he said. He introduced the Moderator/MC  a scientist,  religious and intellectual-Rukmini Chaitanya, She conducted  her role gracefully. The native leader -Wendy Bonazew blessed the gathering. She focused on native spirituality and respect for nature. Acharya Dwivedi  addressing the audience commented, “ We have to dispel the darkness of fear and mistrust world faces today. We together  try to diminish hostility,violence,hatred and to promote harmony between faiths,communities and people. We have to explore the similarities but celebrate the diversity also. By chanting the mantra of harmony nothing can be achieved in eliminating xenophobia,exclusiveness and extreme violence but we need concrete actions”.

Peace prayer was offered by Prameya Chaitanya, Rev. Scott, Turnbrook,Anand Jain,Harpreet Singh,Imam Tariq Azeem,Connie Waterman,Firdosh Mehta and Arun Chatterjee. Dr J.  Das questioned about the need of religion?  He told that  the basic  values of  religion are love,respect and universal brotherhood and to know ourselves- the divine soul that  dwells inside us. No harmony and peace  can be attained unless we make ourselves  free from ego,greed and selfishness.

The Hare Krishna Chant coordinated by Susmita Mishra  and peace prayer  by Girish Chandra of young boys and girls  created spiritual vibrations and enlightened the audience. Connie Waterman, the Vice President of MAS thanked the organizers, spiritual leaders and participants. All the speakers and spiritual leaders were honored with saal (Peetambar/Saropa). All were entertained. at the end, with delicious refreshment.